A southeast Iowa woman is accused of going on a car-robbing spree that spanned two cities earlier this week.
21-year-old Brianna Laird of Knoxville was charged with the following:
- First-degree theft (Class B felony)
- Possession of contraband in a correctional institution (Class D felony)
- Second-degree theft – two counts (Class B felony)
- Third-degree burglary – vehicle (aggravated misdemeanor)
- Operating under the influence – second offense (aggravated misdemeanor)
- Possession of a controlled substance – marijuana, first offense (serious misdemeanor)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor)
On December 8th at approximately 7:04 AM, the Ottumwa Police Department says Laird was seen on video surveillance entering a vehicle that did not belong to her on the 1400 block of Albia Road in Ottumwa and driving away. Officials say the vehicle was later found damaged on Rock Bluff Road in Ottumwa.
The second stolen vehicle was a 2017 Jeep that was allegedly taken by Laird from a residence on Rock Bluff Road at approximately 7:16 AM. Court documents say Laird then drove away in the Jeep but got stuck in a ditch near Eddyville. Laird allegedly left the scene on foot.
At approximately 8:00 AM, court filings say Laird encountered a Ford F150 near a construction site at the intersection of Jayne Street and 6th Street in Eddyville. The owner of the truck told authorities he saw Laird enter his vehicle and attempt to drive away but he was able to stop her. Laird then fled on foot, according to court records. According to officials, a deputy from the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office later found footprints that matched Laird’s shoes in the snow where the truck was parked.
At around 8:10 AM, a trooper from the Iowa State Patrol located a female that matched Laird’s description near South 4th Street and Cedar Street in Eddyville. The officer was able to identify the suspect as Laird and she was taken into custody. Court documents say Laird had items from the Jeep in her possession when she was arrested.
While she was being transported to the Wapello County Jail, the state trooper says Laird admitted to stealing the Jeep and starting the truck at the construction site in Eddyville, according to the criminal complaint. The officer also noted Laird demonstrated wild mood swings in which she would talk excitedly, cry, and then talk normally.
Once at the jail, court records say Laird submitted to standardized field sobriety testing which revealed multiple signs of impairment.
Laird was also asked if she had any contraband in her possession and she allegedly told officers she did not. However, court documents allege a THC vape was found in her clothing.
Laird remains housed in the Wapello County Jail on a $15,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 17th.
